It's Hard To Believe Steve Jobs Is Gone

In almost my entire working career, I've used Apple products and Steve Jobs has always been there, well except for that span where the board kicked him out (what were they thinking?).   It's hard to believe that Steve Jobs will not be around to introduce a new product. 

When I was growing up, I couldn't wait for the latest release of my favorite band. It was a time of anticipation and excitement.  As new record releases became less import and music was leaked, Steve Jobs slowly crept into that role of creating excitement.  The speculation on the latest iPhone was building for months and just yesterday the iPhone 4GS was revealed.  The talk leading up to it, could only rival that of the next Led Zeppelin record in the 1970's. 

Steve was probably one of the most important people of past 25 years and yes he left the world way too young at 56.  He was here and he did make a difference and I certainly benefited from it. 

The Walkman Is Not Dead Yet

According to a research company in Japan, the Sony Walkman outsold the iPod in the month of August.  This is the first time that has happened since Apple introduced the iPod in 2001.  I don't know anyone who owns a recent Sony Walkman.  They were of mass importance when I was in college, but Sony seemed to lose site of the market and Apple jumped in.

Apple Buys EMI

This was the headline on today's Lefsetz letter. It took me a minute to ponder why Apple would want EMI, then I realized it's April 1st. EMI will probably end up a lot worse than having Apple take over. It makes no sense for Apple, but the move would probably save the hanging on by a thread music company.

EMI will sink (or be turned over to Citigroup) if it doesn't receive about $200 million by June 14. It's new executive chairman Charles Allen rejected offers from Sony and Universal yesterday for the right to license (not own) the music for 5 years. Read more at the Telegraph.

Apple Seving Up Cocktails

Much is being said about the Financial Times article on Cocktail, the code word for a new offering from Apple's iTunes. Rumored to be launching at Christmastime, it's said that this digital package would be bring consumers back to the days of album liner notes, lyrics and photos, which would all be included with an album download as well as others goodies such as videos. Deals are allegedly in place with the four major labels.

This may appeal to those over 35. I'm not sure that it has the allure to jump start a whole sector of people to start paying for music. There are a number of articles and polls that state younger people have no attachment to physical things.

Spotify is getting reach to launch in the US. It's been successful in the UK. It allows users free streaming of millions of songs and the ability to create playlists. The Spotify team has an app that is awaiting approval from Apple. It will be interesting to see if Apple approves it. Spotify would compete with iTunes and is free, although Spotify offers a paid subscription service without the ads.

The tech generation has never seen liner notes, so why would there be a need to have them now? Owning a video probably has no value as it can be viewed somewhere on the net. In the 80's kids wanted their MTV, in the 00's will they want their Cocktail?

U2 from Apples to Blackberrys

U2 has just switched fruits. From a band that so clearly aligned themselves with Apple (ads, a personalized iPod), they are now part of the Blackberry machine. The first teaser ad has appeared. Don't expect it to look like an Apple ad. Maybe they should change the name of the song to I Will Follow Wherever the Money Is.

Apple to sell tracks for 15 cents a piece

As reported in today's Lefsetz letter:

And starting April 15th, all Universal tracks at the iTunes Store will
be fifteen cents. Steve (Jobs) wanted the price to be lower, rumor has it as
low as nine cents, but he couldn't convince Marty Bandier and the rest
of the publishers to lower their share, so fifteen cents it is.

Keep reading his post today.... but remember it's 4/1!!!